7.4.4 Livestock and crops Viking farmers kept cattle, horses, sheep, goats and pigs for meat, dairy products, wool and skins. Horses and oxen were also used for transport. In summer sheep and cattle were taken to higher pastures. But winter was severely cold, so livestock tended to be kept indoors and fed with hay. A poor harvest could mean starvation for both the animals and the Vikings. Besides hay, archaeologists have also found evidence of grain crops like barley, rye and oats, as well as vegetables such as onions, peas and cabbages. Flax and hemp were grown to make linen and rope for the rigging of boats.
SOURCE6 Reconstruction of a Viking longhouse in Stöng, Iceland. The original building is fairly well-preserved because it was buried under volcanic ash when Mount Hekla erupted in 1104.
SOURCE7 An archaeological site showing the foundations of a Viking longhouse
7.4.5 Going on a Viking raid Because of the challenging environment the Vikings lived in, they often sailed out to raid what they needed from others. Those that went on these journeys were called vikings , and it has been suggested that this is where the name originates from. During these raids, the Vikings would gather precious items such as gold to trade with, but also captives who would become thralls upon return to Scandinavia. A successful raid would also add to their honour as warriors among their peers.
164 Jacaranda Humanities Alive 8 Victorian Curriculum Third Edition
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